We just bought a house and got a great interest rate. We are excited, but a bit daunted by the size of the mortgage. Being that we got a good rate, we are going to want to put as much towards the principle as possible in the first 5 years. We can put something like 16k a year in a lump sum without penalty (don't see that happening)

What I'm looking for is tops and tricks to keep our costs down so we can put our spare pennies into the mortgage.

I need a good idea of how to make a budget. We haven't really had to because we have had a decent amount of disposable income and well um have been a bit lazy. No excuse cause I'm sure we have wasted money in the past.

once we have the house, I'm planning to:

- cloth diaper - already have them just can't use them with current set up

- line dry (need to get one)

- planning on cutting eating out to once a month

- next year, I'll grow a veggie garden (not sure how cost effective this will be)

- the new house has apple and pear trees though I'm not sure what their yield will be, if it is good I will want to preserve them. We are not pear fans, but maybe we could trade some for a fruit we do enjoy?

- I also need to be more mindful of what we have in our pantry and actually use what we have. I suppose that would be under meal planning.

- I read on a blog last night about having a weekly retreat where the mom goes and plans the week every sat morning, meals etc I think that I'd like to try and incorporate that.

- the new house has gas heat, but it also has a fire place in the basement would spending the $ on a high efficiency stove be worth it in cost savings? We would use that room (along with the kitchen) probably the most.

DH was transfered to a school that is quite a bit closer, so there will be savings in gas.

I can't think of anything else right now... any blogs books whatever would be awesome to help me work through this.

They are all frugal blogs. Ultimate Money Blog talks about gardening, saving money and living green; Sense to Save has a baby and cloth diapers in an apartment, and The Simple Dollar gives good frugal tips for families!

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